Christmas tree stand



1956 H. J. DUTTON CHRISTMAS TREE STAND Filed May 4. 1953 Harvey J.Du/fon INVENTOR.

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The present invention relates to holders and stands, generallyclassified, for Christmas trees, and has more particular reference to aconstruction in this field of in vention which is characterized bycertain new and useful improvements.

A general objective of the invention is to improve upon and reduce thenumber of elements or parts entering into the over-all combination,thereby not only increasing the efiiciency of the structural device asan entity, but also rendering the same less costly to manufacture and tootherwise simplify factors of assembling and sale.

Another object of the invention is to structurally, functionally andotherwise improve upon similarly constructed prior art Christmas treeholders by providing one which is susceptible of being constructedthrough the medium of readily accessible, simple and economicalelements, and in this manner to provide a construction in whichmanufacturers and users will find their respective requirements andneeds satisfactorily met.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention, a structurewhich is generally cruciform in plan is provided, the same beingcharacterized at its central or hub portion by a receptacletelescopically receiving the coacting end of the trunk of the tree, thewall thereof having circumferentially-spaced radial weights, saidweights being handy soft-drink or beer bottles, or the like, the neckportions of which are joined to the receptacle by adapter and retainingdevices.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparentfrom the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a Christmas tree holder, or so-calledstand, constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the adapter devicesused for accommodating and attaching the hold-down bottles.

Referring now to the drawings by way of reference numerals andaccompanying lead lines, the hub portion of the over-all assemblage ischaracterized, as before stated, by a receiver. This is denoted by thenumeral 4 and takes the form of a simple receptacle. Actually, thereceptacle may be made from a salvaged vegetable or tomato can ofappropriate cross-section. A can which is approximately 3 /2" to 4 indiameter will usually do, at least for small trees. In any event thisreceptacle, or so-called can has a flat bottom 6, and an upstanding,endless, circular wall 8. The hold-down devices, weights and stabilizersare simple, available bottles. While the device could be made up forhandling larger bottles, such as pint or quart-sized milk bottles, ithas been found that generally speaking, for a small tree, so-called beerbottles and soft drink bottles will do. Therefore, the stabilizing andhold-down devices each is in the form of a bottle, and the latter isdenoted by the numeral and has a neck 12,

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terminating in a bead 14, which beaded neck is separably joined with thewall 8 of the receptacle. To do this an adapter clip or device isnecessary for each bottle. There are four bottles and therefore thereare four adapter clips. Each comprises a suitably shaped plate or disc18, which is Welded or otherwise secured to the exterior surface of thereceptacle wall and this disc is marginally provided with resilientretaining elements, each of which is denoted generally by the numeral20. Each retaining element takes the form of an inwardly curled or bentspring tongue or grip 22 which suitably accommodates and engages overthe head 14 of the bottle neck in the manner shown. The device isfinished by the provision of a simple wood screw, or the like, which isdenoted by the numeral 2 5 and which is welded to the interior of thebottom at the center and which screws into the trunk of the tree in anobvious manner. Therefore, placing the trunk of the tree in the can orreceptacle in the manner shown, and screwing it in place and thenapplying the respective bottles, by clipping the same in place, a standis had which will fulfill the requirements of the invention underconsideration.

It is to be explained that the expression can is not intended to belimiting for it is obviously within the purview of the invention toemploy a shallower and larger receptacle and to treat the same as awatering pan. The plate in Figure 3 may be interpreted as any suitableattaching clip with bottle accommodating retaining elements permittingadjustable attachment of the bottle neck thereto.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction shown and described, andaccordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A Christmas tree stand comprising an open-top can having a flat bottomand upstanding marginal wall and providing a receiver for the coactingend-portion of the tree-trunk, an upstanding screw-threaded fasteningsecured in said can and joined with the bottom and rising centrallytherefrom and adapted to be anchored in the tree-trunk, a plurality ofradial coplanar attachable and detachable hold-down and stabilizinglegs, each leg comprising a bottle-shaped weight embodying a bodyportion adapted to rest on the floor and a reduced neck portionextending axially from the body portion and terminating in a bead, andadapter clips secured circumferentially to the exterior surface of saidwall and circumferentially spaced from one another, each clip comprisinga flat plate superimposed against and fixed to said wall in a planeabove said bottom and below the upper edge of said wall, the marginaledge of said plate having circumferentially spaced inturned resilientgrips, the adjacent end of the bottle neck being in end thrust contactwith said plate and said grips reisliently engaging the cooperating beadand serving to detachably maintain the same in its intended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,421,140 Blaner May 27, 1947 2,459,533 Irvin Jan. 18, 1949 2,483,813Davis Oct. 4, 1949 2,609,169 Kroeger Sept. 2, 1952 2,615,660 HaumannOct. 28, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 70,648 Denmark Feb. 20, 1950

